the website/blog thing of writer/editor D.J. Kirkbride

Writing, Just Can’t Help It

March 10, 2010 By: D.J. Category: Bloggy stuff., D.J. Versus THE WORLD., Writing.

I love to write. It’s so fun. Creating a story, whole worlds sometimes out of nowhere, just using words. Lines and squiggly things — letters — put together to make words. It’s kind of amazing… and weird. And ridiculous.

And often really hard.

Hm… I hate to write sometimes. When I’m racking my brain to come up with a plot or just something interesting to say. Writing is all well and good, but you have to write something worth reading, right? But lots of people have different ideas as to what is worth reading. Heck, I don’t even know why I read what I read sometimes. I guess if it’s something that someone is willing to stare at until all the words run out, then it was worth writing, right?

Do I have something to say? Well, yeah… I mean, maybe not always some amazing truth or some passionate cause or occurrence that I feel really needs to be expressed, that might really resonate with a reader or whatever. But just thinking something is funny or wacky or might make someone laugh, maybe brighten their day — that is worth it, too, right?

Of course, after writing one has to get the story in front of the eyes that will be doing the reading. The internet, blogs like this one and whatnot, has made that much easier. Still not effortless, though. I used to think that being published in print was the end goal. If I write something that some company is willing to put on paper and bind together and make into a book — boom. Success! I’m done!

Not true. Sure, some writers reach a certain point when the publisher or an agency or magical fairies will take care of the getting the work out to the readers for them, but that’s rare. And even then, lots of authors blog and Tweet and set up interviews and appearances and tour on their own to let people know their work is out.

I guess it’s never as simple as just writing until I hit “the end” and then that’s it.

Honestly, this has become the hard part. How do I get the word out effectively without becoming a pest? And might all this time talking, blogging, Tweeting, Friendstering (I kid) about my writing be best spent actually writing new stories?

It’s all so confusing. Hm… and perhaps not worth writing about, really. Oops.

Writing… freaking writing. Crap. I just can’t help it.

POPGUN 4 is out today!

February 24, 2010 By: D.J. Category: Comics., Editing., Pimping., Writing.

Well, today’s the day. After almost a year of working on POPGUN 4 as an editor and contributing writer — we started even before we were done with POPGUN 3 — the book is at finer comic shops and bookstores everywhere.

I’d like to thank all the amazing contributors (on all 4 volumes) and the editorial and production team of the book past and present (Adam! Anthony! Thomas! Jeff! Steven! Tim! Dylan! Mark! Joe!) , as well as the swell folks at Image Comics. Wow. POPGUN 4 is DONE… DONE DONE DONE. 512 pages of awesome wrapped in a beautiful cover for only 30 bucks.

Almost 2000 pages of POPGUN since 2007. Whew!

Okay, time to party tonight… Hope you all enjoy the book!

– D.J.

POPGUN 4 is out this Wed, Feb 24th!

February 22, 2010 By: D.J. Category: Comics., Editing., Pimping., Writing.

Hi, awesome people!

Just a quick reminder that POPGUN 4 from the fine folks at Image Comics hits shelves this Wednesday! Please stop by your Local Comic Shop and pick up a copy…

Also, if you’re in NY, Hanley’s is having a signing on Wed. from 6 to 8.

And, if you’re in LA, Meltdown Comics is having a release party on Wed. from 7 to 10.

Aaaaand if you’re in Oklahoma City, New World comics is having a release party on Friday, Feb 26.

Such good times! We’re really proud if this big beast that is POPGUN 4. Can’t wait for it to be unleashed! Hope you all like it…

Your pal,
D.J.

New Who Trailer!

February 20, 2010 By: D.J. Category: TV.

Not what I was expecting — seems like possibly a quite different show. Interesting.

Ah, can’t wait for Easter…

POPGUN 4 press roundup!

February 11, 2010 By: D.J. Category: Comics., Pimping.

Hi, true believers!

Figured I’d compile a bit of one-stop shopping for folks looking to learn more about POPGUN — specifically the upcoming 4th volume, which is in stores February 24th. (If I’m missing anything, feel free to let me know!)

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES’ own Josh Wigler interviewed Jeffrey Brown, Amanda Becker, Janet Kim, Frank Stockton, Andy Ristiano, and myself. Good times and snazzy preview art!

NEWSARAMA writer Chris Arrant interviewed Anthony Wu, Adam P. Knave, Todd DeZago, Tom Scioli, Vito Delasante, Attila Adorjany, Chris Moreno, and me again. Lots of info and more preview art!

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY’s PANEL MANIA writer Ada Price ran the entire 24-page story “Hamburgers For One” by Frank Stockton. A great read that looks even better in print, as it was meant to be seen!

Rich Johnston’s BLEEDING COOL was the first to show off Ben Templesmith’s amazing POPGUN 4 cover!

BROKEN FRONTIER’s Frederik Hautin posted a full-story preview of Tom (G0DLAND) Scioli’s POPGUN 4 contribution: “The Seneschal”!

GEEKWEEK’s Tim Simmons interviewed me about POPGUN 4 and ran some very nice preview art.

Johanna Draper Carlson’s COMICS WORTH READING gave us a nice mention complete with the Ben Templesmith web banner!

GRAEME’S FANTASY BOOK REVIEW posted about the book and had kind words about POPGUN vol. 3.

COMICS CONTINUUM by Rob Allstetter posted some cool preview pages! (Just scroll down a little.)

THE COMIC BOX gave us a swell shout out!

Also, some upcoming events…

In New York, The Comic Book Club Live will be interviewing POPGUN 4 contributors Adam P. Knave, Vito Delsante, and Nick Tapansky live at the The Peoples Improv Theater on Feb 16th — tickets available now!

Also for the New York folks, there’s a POPGUN 4 signing on Feb 24th at Jim Hanley’s Universe!

And, LA folks, don’t forget about the POPGUN 4 release party on Feb 24th at Meltdown Comics!

Finally, in Oklahoma City? Check out the POPGUN 4 signing at New World Comics & Games, with writer Brian Winkeer and artist Eric Sandhop will be on hand for fun!

Ninjas Don’t Jazzercise

February 01, 2010 By: D.J. Category: ninja poetry

Ninjas don’t jazzercise

…..to keep the thunder out of their thighs.

……….For that they kick tons of ass.

Ninjas don’t diet

…..as a way to stay fit.

……….Badass assassinations keep ‘em thin.

Ninjas don’t sweat to the oldies

…..to be free of ass fat foldies.

……….Airborne flipping is better than Richard Simmons’ moves.

Ninjas don’t jazzercise.

…..or freaking diet

……….or sweat to no oldies.

Ninjas

kick

ass.

…..Which is wonderful exercise.

Cabin Fever, Job Worries, and… SCIENCE!

January 25, 2010 By: D.J. Category: Bloggy stuff., Comics., Editing., Pimping., Writing.

Good god… when is the last time I left my apartment? I don’t mean for a walk to the nearby grocery store for milk or whatever. I mean really went out, did something either productive or fun or funductive (combining words can be fun)… It’s probably only been four days or so, but it feels like FOREVER. Yes, I’ve made decent use of the time, getting some work done, but, really, I’m going stir crazy!

Why am I trapped in my apartment? Well, I suppose I’m not technically. First there was the crazy LA rain that made me want to just stay in, and now that it’s sunny again, I’ve been feeling under the weather and figure I should take it easy and let my body heal via drinking beverages with vitamin C instead of alcohol, getting decent sleep, and just generally taking it easy. I predict by tomorrow I’ll be feeling back to normal… at least I hope so. Right now I’m so antsy and bored that it’s making my skin itch. Ack! Just… TRAPPED.

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Classy, Conan. Well said.

January 23, 2010 By: D.J. Category: Advice?, TV.

Conan went out with a great show, and this final speech is wonderful. Yes, I realize that this whole story isn’t important in the grand scheme of things, but the sentiment here is indeed important and well said.

Lights Out

January 22, 2010 By: D.J. Category: Bloggy stuff.

From Thursday, January 21, 2010:

Tonight the electricity went out, and I realized how plugged in my entire life was. It went out during Thursday night TV, which sucks because I was really looking forward to Community, Parks & Recreation, The Office, and 30 Rock. That’s right: all four of those shows. A full, exciting, productively evening… a two hour block of comedy DENIED me… well, until tomorrow when, one assumes, the electricity is back on and I’ll be able to watch them all on Hulu. Guess that’s something to look forward to.

But, honestly, there’s not much for me to do now. I’m forcing myself to write, which I’ll be able to do until my computer battery runs out or I run out of things to type… guessing the battery will last longer.

I have one tiny candle. It isn’t producing enough light to read… not really. I have a flashlight, but it’s this little keychain one. I have to hold onto the button to keep the little bit of light going. I could try to read by that, but it might just be frustrating. Yeah, I’m that lazy.

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Mustachioed Ninja

January 21, 2010 By: D.J. Category: Advice?, Writing., ninja poetry

Ninja with a mustache,

your hairy lip aids you in the kicking

of ass.

-

Whatever your reason for growing your ’stache,

it works for you.

I say this true blue.

-

Show off your ’stache,

and cut a ’stache hole in  your mask…

In fear your enemies will bask.

-

Show off that sweet hairy lip…

Oh! And when you kick,

remember to pivot with your hip.

-

Look, put that razor down.

Without that godgiven ’stache,

you look like an child clown.

-

Ninja, sweet mustchioed ninja,

you beautiful bastard,

don’t ever give up the dream.

-

Shaving your lip,

won’t make your enemies scream

… in terror.